Oh, Father God, we are blessed! We are blessed beyond what we know ... what we have ... what we want ... what we need! We are blessed because of Your unfailing love for us! We are blessed because, after this short life is over, we have been given eternal life WITH YOU!
The blessed person finds their sufficiency in You, Lord God. You are in control of everything, Father! Give us saintlike faith so we can trust You and submit to Your will in our lives, Lord! Bless us each day by sending Your Holy Spirit to dwell within each of us so that we can experience that unexplainable joy and peace that comes with surrendering all we are to what You want us to be ... truly, fully, wholly Yours. One with You in mind, body, and spirit!
Please, Lord, give us the faith to trust nothing other than You. May we truly be poor in spirit yielding to You, submitting to Your will because we know You love us and want the best for us. We can rejoice in knowing that You are with us because You love us. We will rejoice and be glad because ours is the kingdom of heaven!
No matter what happens to us, instill in us and strengthen us to stand firm in faith to You, O God.
Blessed are we! Let us never forget what it means to be children of God ... saints of Yours ... not perfect people, but people who trust in You, who submit our will to Your will and stand firm in our faith in You.
We can only do this with Your help, Lord Jesus, and it's in Your mighty name we pray. Amen!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
For Vision in The Church
Jesus, you gave us a vision for your Church when you said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples." Cultivate that vision in our congregation today. In planning our future, move us to consider what avenues of preaching, teaching and reaching out to people would do the most good in spreading the Gospel message to the world around us and letting it flourish. Father God, send Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us, giving us an unquenchable thirst for Your Word and a hunger for seeking Your face in all we do. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Let us bring our prayers for our fellow believers and for all people to our heavenly Father’s throne of grace, trusting His promise to answer in the way He knows to be best.
Gracious Father, we confess that without Your Son we are dead in our trespasses, overpowered by Satan, and overcome by our own sinful desires. O God, be merciful to us sinners. Grant to us a repentant faith so that we never cease believing that because of Christ Jesus You have raised us from death to life and given us heaven instead of hell. By Your Holy Spirit enable us to accomplish the good works that You have created us in Christ Jesus to do.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, fill us with a hatred for our sinfulness and a desire to please You. Make us humble as little children, just as Your Son, the greatest in Your kingdom, humbled Himself for us and for our salvation. Because You desire that none of Your little ones should perish and because sin is constantly crouching at our door, we beg You to call us back to Yourself when we are tempted to stray, deliver us from temptation and keep us in faith.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, we pray for all the little ones who believe in You. Keep us and everyone else from leading them into sin. Through their parents, their pastors, and their teachers, teach them Your truth and Your ways so that they grow up trusting Christ’s forgiveness and living as Your children.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, form in us a love that cares so fervently about each other that we are willing to confront unrepented sin and joyfully speak Your forgiveness to those who confess. Make us a Church that is willing to excommunicate when necessary and that always desires and rejoices over each sinner who is restored to You.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, we believe You when You tell us that our governing authorities receive their authority from You. So teach us to obey You by obeying them. Provide us with rulers who are not a terror to good conduct but to bad. Endow those who lead our nation with wisdom as they make, administer, and judge our laws.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father teach us to bring our gifts to You in humble gratitude for all the ways You lovingly provide for us. We ask You to provide honest and fruitful laborers in our land. Be with those who are unemployed or underemployed. Use us and others to provide for their needs, and lead them to opportunities where they may earn a living and serve You.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, as You marked Cain and gave him Your protection even though he was a sinner, we thank You that You have marked us in Holy Baptism and protect us from spiritual harm even though we are sinners. We praise You for washing away the sins of each of us. Deliver us when sin and Satan attack us, and renew us in faith and life.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, because You have made us our brother’s keeper, fill us with care for the members of our earthly families and for our brothers and sisters in Christ. By Your promises and by Your Son’s body and blood, forgive our sins and strengthen us to live so that we owe no one anything except to love one other.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
These prayers we bring before You, gracious Father, by the guiding of Your Spirit and in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Gracious Father, we confess that without Your Son we are dead in our trespasses, overpowered by Satan, and overcome by our own sinful desires. O God, be merciful to us sinners. Grant to us a repentant faith so that we never cease believing that because of Christ Jesus You have raised us from death to life and given us heaven instead of hell. By Your Holy Spirit enable us to accomplish the good works that You have created us in Christ Jesus to do.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, fill us with a hatred for our sinfulness and a desire to please You. Make us humble as little children, just as Your Son, the greatest in Your kingdom, humbled Himself for us and for our salvation. Because You desire that none of Your little ones should perish and because sin is constantly crouching at our door, we beg You to call us back to Yourself when we are tempted to stray, deliver us from temptation and keep us in faith.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, we pray for all the little ones who believe in You. Keep us and everyone else from leading them into sin. Through their parents, their pastors, and their teachers, teach them Your truth and Your ways so that they grow up trusting Christ’s forgiveness and living as Your children.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, form in us a love that cares so fervently about each other that we are willing to confront unrepented sin and joyfully speak Your forgiveness to those who confess. Make us a Church that is willing to excommunicate when necessary and that always desires and rejoices over each sinner who is restored to You.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, we believe You when You tell us that our governing authorities receive their authority from You. So teach us to obey You by obeying them. Provide us with rulers who are not a terror to good conduct but to bad. Endow those who lead our nation with wisdom as they make, administer, and judge our laws.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father teach us to bring our gifts to You in humble gratitude for all the ways You lovingly provide for us. We ask You to provide honest and fruitful laborers in our land. Be with those who are unemployed or underemployed. Use us and others to provide for their needs, and lead them to opportunities where they may earn a living and serve You.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, as You marked Cain and gave him Your protection even though he was a sinner, we thank You that You have marked us in Holy Baptism and protect us from spiritual harm even though we are sinners. We praise You for washing away the sins of each of us. Deliver us when sin and Satan attack us, and renew us in faith and life.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, because You have made us our brother’s keeper, fill us with care for the members of our earthly families and for our brothers and sisters in Christ. By Your promises and by Your Son’s body and blood, forgive our sins and strengthen us to live so that we owe no one anything except to love one other.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
These prayers we bring before You, gracious Father, by the guiding of Your Spirit and in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, July 11, 2011
GS Youth in Joplin, MO
We thank and praise You, Lord Jesus, for giving us the ultimate holy example in realizing our relationship with our Father God ... even in the most menial task: "Jesus, knowing ... that He had come from God and was going to God, ... took a towel ... and began to wash the disciples' feet ..." (John 13:3-5)
Thank You, heavenly Father, for the opportunity to show Your love, the love of Jesus, to some people that have lost every material thing they have. Thank you for guiding and protecting the vehicles and their precious occupants during the long drive to Joplin on Saturday. Please continue to send Your holy angels to keep them safe and out of harm's way as they do the work You've set before them this week.
As these youth and adults work, Lord, we implore You to give them everything they need to really be the hands and feet of Jesus to everyone they serve. Holy Spirit, fill their hearts with the servant's heart of Jesus ... fill them with discernment and wisdom and love ... and guide their words and actions so that everything they say and do points people to know, love, and follow our savior, Jesus Christ.
Father God, You are in control of everything and we are trusting You to control the weather and ask for Your protection from extreme heat and other conditions that could hamper efforts and weaken human strength. In all things fill up the people serving and the people being served with with Your strength and Your energy and Your peace.
We ask all this and so much more in the mighty name of Jesus, our best friend. Amen.
Thank You, heavenly Father, for the opportunity to show Your love, the love of Jesus, to some people that have lost every material thing they have. Thank you for guiding and protecting the vehicles and their precious occupants during the long drive to Joplin on Saturday. Please continue to send Your holy angels to keep them safe and out of harm's way as they do the work You've set before them this week.
As these youth and adults work, Lord, we implore You to give them everything they need to really be the hands and feet of Jesus to everyone they serve. Holy Spirit, fill their hearts with the servant's heart of Jesus ... fill them with discernment and wisdom and love ... and guide their words and actions so that everything they say and do points people to know, love, and follow our savior, Jesus Christ.
Father God, You are in control of everything and we are trusting You to control the weather and ask for Your protection from extreme heat and other conditions that could hamper efforts and weaken human strength. In all things fill up the people serving and the people being served with with Your strength and Your energy and Your peace.
We ask all this and so much more in the mighty name of Jesus, our best friend. Amen.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Our Interim Pastor
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in each of us so that we can believe Christ Jesus is our Lord and Savior!
Precious Jesus, thank you for being exactly who You say You are ... redeemer, sustainer, life giver, wonderful counselor, savior, ultimate lover of our souls!
We praise You, God, for Pastor Mackowiak and all the experience, wisdom, and Holy Spirit-filled discernment You have given him ... for such a time as this. Thank you with blessing us with his presence at Good Shepherd! We are trusting You, Lord, to do big things at Good Shepherd to build and strengthen the body of Christ in our members and to those outside our doors who do not yet know You as their awesome, loving God!
We are here, Lord, to serve You. Settle in us a deep longing to be in Your Word and to come to You, Father God, in unceasing prayer. As we get to know Pastor Mackowiak, please guide our thoughts and words that they may be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O God. Encourage us to lay our crowns at Your feet, casting aside our pride, and our narrow and comfortable thinking that is not Yours, Lord. Move us out of the way so Your Way is the only one that everyone sees and accepts. Bless us with wisdom and discernment so that in all we do we are seeking Your face, Your will, Your desire for our hearts ... that everything we do is done to bring glory to You, Lord.
Teach us Your ways, O Lord. Fill us with everything that is good and perfect, everything that is Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray and whose feet we lay our crowns before. Amen.
Precious Jesus, thank you for being exactly who You say You are ... redeemer, sustainer, life giver, wonderful counselor, savior, ultimate lover of our souls!
We praise You, God, for Pastor Mackowiak and all the experience, wisdom, and Holy Spirit-filled discernment You have given him ... for such a time as this. Thank you with blessing us with his presence at Good Shepherd! We are trusting You, Lord, to do big things at Good Shepherd to build and strengthen the body of Christ in our members and to those outside our doors who do not yet know You as their awesome, loving God!
We are here, Lord, to serve You. Settle in us a deep longing to be in Your Word and to come to You, Father God, in unceasing prayer. As we get to know Pastor Mackowiak, please guide our thoughts and words that they may be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O God. Encourage us to lay our crowns at Your feet, casting aside our pride, and our narrow and comfortable thinking that is not Yours, Lord. Move us out of the way so Your Way is the only one that everyone sees and accepts. Bless us with wisdom and discernment so that in all we do we are seeking Your face, Your will, Your desire for our hearts ... that everything we do is done to bring glory to You, Lord.
Teach us Your ways, O Lord. Fill us with everything that is good and perfect, everything that is Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray and whose feet we lay our crowns before. Amen.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Praying for GS Haiti Mission Team
Some of the team has what Michelle is calling "travelers' flu," an intestinal flu. They have had non-stop rain for days now, with no breaks, so they are wet, tired, and some are sick.
Many only took a few clothes along in order to make more room for medical and other supplies, because always before we were able to wash and hang dry clothing...that hasn't been possible on this trip. There are now clothes hanging under the porch at one house, and as long as the rain keeps coming down vertically, they may dry some.
As you can see, there are lots of reasons that spirits may be discouraged, so we need to pray about that, too!
The good news is that this flu is responding to Cipro antibiotics; but it's leaving them weak as they recover. They need to travel all day on Monday, so they need strength and for no one else to get sick, if possible.
Also, Leonie is still not feeling well, so some prayers for her and prayers for wisdom as they discuss whether she might want, or need, to travel to the U.S. to see a doctor.
Mighty, merciful Father God, You know all things and are in control of everything! We thank and praise You for that! We are so grateful that You are our loving, sovereign King and that You always have our best interests in mind! Holy Spirit, abide in us and keep our thoughts on trusting You for all our needs.
We come before You, Lord, asking for Your healing hand to be upon our team in Haiti, that You would clear away all illness from their bodies as they try to work and enjoy these last couple of days there. We want them to feel good, to be strong and able to serve, and to have energy to attend worship tomorrow. God, You are in control and You will make it all happen just as it should! We are trusting You to accomplish all that You have planned!
Lord God, King of Your universe, we ask that, if it is Your will, that You make the rain stop for a while. From what the photos show of Les Cayes, there is flooding, Lord. Again, Father God, You are in control and You know and will do what is best. May our wants and needs be in line with what Your good and perfect will is for us and the people of Haiti.
Our hearts go our to our friends, family, and all Your children, Father God. Please continue to keep them all in Your loving arms. Guide, protect, comfort and strengthen them all. Give them wisdom and discernment to know and do what You would have them do. Bless their time and travel for those who will be leaving on Monday to return to their Michigan homes. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray all these things and everything else that is on our minds, trusting You to take care of all that is needed and in line with Your perfect will. Amen.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Praying Without Ceasing
The beginning of this post is copied directly from utmost.org
My Utmost For His Highest Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers
Our thinking about prayer, whether right or wrong, is based on our own mental conception of it. The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts. Our blood flows and our breathing continues “without ceasing”; we are not even conscious of it, but it never stops. And we are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect oneness with God, but if we are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint. Beware of anything that stops the offering up of prayer. “Pray without ceasing . . .”— maintain the childlike habit of offering up prayer in your heart to God all the time.
Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer. He had the unlimited certainty of knowing that prayer is always answered. Do we have through the Spirit of God that inexpressible certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of the times when it seemed that God did not answer our prayer? Jesus said, “. . . everyone who asks receives . . .” (Matthew 7:8). Yet we say, “But . . . , but . . . .” God answers prayer in the best way— not just sometimes, but every time. However, the evidence of the answer in the area we want it may not always immediately follow. Do we expect God to answer prayer?
The danger we have is that we want to water down what Jesus said to make it mean something that aligns with our common sense. But if it were only common sense, what He said would not even be worthwhile. The things Jesus taught about prayer are supernatural truths He reveals to us.
http://utmost.org/thinking-of-prayer-as-jesus-taught/
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for teaching us to pray. Thank you, Father God, for sending Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Thank you for Your Word, which keeps us strong, gives us comfort, settles our souls, and keeps us focused on what really matters ...
Romans 8
Life Through the Spirit
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
My Utmost For His Highest Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers
Our thinking about prayer, whether right or wrong, is based on our own mental conception of it. The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts. Our blood flows and our breathing continues “without ceasing”; we are not even conscious of it, but it never stops. And we are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect oneness with God, but if we are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint. Beware of anything that stops the offering up of prayer. “Pray without ceasing . . .”— maintain the childlike habit of offering up prayer in your heart to God all the time.
Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer. He had the unlimited certainty of knowing that prayer is always answered. Do we have through the Spirit of God that inexpressible certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of the times when it seemed that God did not answer our prayer? Jesus said, “. . . everyone who asks receives . . .” (Matthew 7:8). Yet we say, “But . . . , but . . . .” God answers prayer in the best way— not just sometimes, but every time. However, the evidence of the answer in the area we want it may not always immediately follow. Do we expect God to answer prayer?
The danger we have is that we want to water down what Jesus said to make it mean something that aligns with our common sense. But if it were only common sense, what He said would not even be worthwhile. The things Jesus taught about prayer are supernatural truths He reveals to us.
http://utmost.org/thinking-of-prayer-as-jesus-taught/
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for teaching us to pray. Thank you, Father God, for sending Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Thank you for Your Word, which keeps us strong, gives us comfort, settles our souls, and keeps us focused on what really matters ...
Romans 8
Life Through the Spirit
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Praying for our Catechumens
As Sunday approaches and the Catechumens become Confirmands, we pray . . .
Lord God,
Renew the strength of the young so that they shall rise up with wings like eagles.
We pray,
remember not the sins of their youth,
forgive any squandering of their early years,
pardon juvenile neglect of duty.
Grant them
the faith of young Isaac,
the vision of young Joseph,
the obedience of young Samuel,
the vitality of young David,
the tenderness of young Jonathan,
the wisdom of young Solomon,
the courage of young Daniel,
the zeal of young Timothy.
Deliver them from the temptations of youth,
from unbelief,
from forgetting their baptism,
from losing the gift of Your Spirit.
Hear us for the sake of Your own Son,
who redeemed us by His grace.
Amen.
Lord God,
Renew the strength of the young so that they shall rise up with wings like eagles.
We pray,
remember not the sins of their youth,
forgive any squandering of their early years,
pardon juvenile neglect of duty.
Grant them
the faith of young Isaac,
the vision of young Joseph,
the obedience of young Samuel,
the vitality of young David,
the tenderness of young Jonathan,
the wisdom of young Solomon,
the courage of young Daniel,
the zeal of young Timothy.
Deliver them from the temptations of youth,
from unbelief,
from forgetting their baptism,
from losing the gift of Your Spirit.
Hear us for the sake of Your own Son,
who redeemed us by His grace.
Amen.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Praying for Mothers
Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the gift of mothers! Today we rise up and call them blessed! Give all mothers the strength and health required to perform all of their obligations as Christian mothers. Fill them with deep affection for their husbands and children. Grant all of our families Your Holy Spirit, so that we grow together from day to day in Your love and that we order and shape our lives with wisdom according to Your will. Make us worthy examples of Christian mothers, and let many see in our homes the joy of families in which father, mother, and children dwell together in Christ.
Continue to assure us of Your grace through Christ, our Lord and Savior, who honored His mother in the very hour in which He gave His life on the cross for us and all men. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of children and motherhood. Amen.
Continue to assure us of Your grace through Christ, our Lord and Savior, who honored His mother in the very hour in which He gave His life on the cross for us and all men. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of children and motherhood. Amen.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter
The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Heavenly Father, we worship You and adore You because You have raised Your Son from the dead and made Him to be Lord over all things in heaven and earth.
Fill us with confidence that in the risen Christ we can overcome all threats to the reality of Your love for us. Especially destroy in us the fear that death separates us from Your mercy.
We long for some proof, like touching the risen One. Comfort us with His assurance and benediction that we are blessed as a people not seeing and yet believing. We yearn to roll away the stone of all our doubts. Help us see in the empty tomb that the stone is already rolled away, that we no longer seek the living One among the dead.
Give us of Your Spirit that we may live under Your Son in the freedom of those who have been delivered from death to life. Raise us each day from the depths of sin to the joys of forgiveness, and let us walk before You in righteousness; through our risen Lord and Redeemer! Amen!
Heavenly Father, we worship You and adore You because You have raised Your Son from the dead and made Him to be Lord over all things in heaven and earth.
Fill us with confidence that in the risen Christ we can overcome all threats to the reality of Your love for us. Especially destroy in us the fear that death separates us from Your mercy.
We long for some proof, like touching the risen One. Comfort us with His assurance and benediction that we are blessed as a people not seeing and yet believing. We yearn to roll away the stone of all our doubts. Help us see in the empty tomb that the stone is already rolled away, that we no longer seek the living One among the dead.
Give us of Your Spirit that we may live under Your Son in the freedom of those who have been delivered from death to life. Raise us each day from the depths of sin to the joys of forgiveness, and let us walk before You in righteousness; through our risen Lord and Redeemer! Amen!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday
O Christ, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, grant us Your peace.
We thank and praise You that on this day
You prayed the Father for our forgiveness;
You promised us Paradise;
You placed us in loving relationship with each other;
You were forsaken of God, that we may never be forsaken;
You finished all things necessary for our salvation;
You committed Your spirit to the Father that we may die in peace.
Give us faith to glory in Your cross, by which we may overcome every evil and finally gain full and complete victory in Your name.
Amen
O Christ, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, grant us Your peace.
We thank and praise You that on this day
You prayed the Father for our forgiveness;
You promised us Paradise;
You placed us in loving relationship with each other;
You were forsaken of God, that we may never be forsaken;
You finished all things necessary for our salvation;
You committed Your spirit to the Father that we may die in peace.
Give us faith to glory in Your cross, by which we may overcome every evil and finally gain full and complete victory in Your name.
Amen
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Maundy Thursday
We remember, Lord, that on this night in which You were betrayed You provided the blessed meal of Your Holy Supper for us. On the eve of the most dreadful hours of Your life, we should think of what You were facing. But You did not think of Yourself. You thought of us. You cared for us, and You remembered us so that we could remember often what You have done for our salvation.
At Your table, Lord, we join the whole company of believers who feast on Your mercy. Unite us in the fellowship of faith as we are made one in this common meal. Make us participants in the victory which You won by the sacrifice of Your body and blood. Seal to us the eternal fruits of salvation that You promised with the giving of this meal.
May this holy supper always be to us the Holy Eucharist, the holy giving of thanks, that we may find the joy which You provided for us by Your sorrow. Accept now our thanks, dear Lord, and keep alive in us the hope that we shall break bread with You in eternity. Amen.
At Your table, Lord, we join the whole company of believers who feast on Your mercy. Unite us in the fellowship of faith as we are made one in this common meal. Make us participants in the victory which You won by the sacrifice of Your body and blood. Seal to us the eternal fruits of salvation that You promised with the giving of this meal.
May this holy supper always be to us the Holy Eucharist, the holy giving of thanks, that we may find the joy which You provided for us by Your sorrow. Accept now our thanks, dear Lord, and keep alive in us the hope that we shall break bread with You in eternity. Amen.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Palm Sunday
Lord Jesus, the Day of Palms is a day of triumph in Your life! As You set Your face like flint toward death and moved to the hour of Your glory beyond the cross, You came to us as King. Yet You came in lowly pomp that we might know the real purpose of Your coming.
Amid the shouts of "Hosannah to the Son of David" we know You as the Suffering Servant of God.
Through the waving palm branches we see You as the King of our peace.
On the way paved with the garments of man's homage we see You as the Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Among the chants and songs of praises of little children we know You as the One who came to make us the children of God.
Come, King of grace, to rule in us. Lord of all mercy, have mercy upon us. Savior of sinners, save us. Amen.
Amid the shouts of "Hosannah to the Son of David" we know You as the Suffering Servant of God.
Through the waving palm branches we see You as the King of our peace.
On the way paved with the garments of man's homage we see You as the Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Among the chants and songs of praises of little children we know You as the One who came to make us the children of God.
Come, King of grace, to rule in us. Lord of all mercy, have mercy upon us. Savior of sinners, save us. Amen.
God's Chisel by The Skit Guys
click on the link above "God's Chisel by The Skit Guys" ... 9 minutes of Truth
What do you see when you look in the mirror? A masterpiece? Did you buy into the lie that everything was going to be easy when you said 'yes' to Him?
O Father in Heaven, being disciplined is not fun or easy, but we so desperately need it in order to be like You. We want to shine Your light. We want to be salt. Our human nature prevents this from happening the way we want it to .. the way You want it to. Bring on the chisel, God; no time outs, please! You've made us good, help us to just BE good! Give us the desire to seek Your will and Your ways every moment of every day. Chisel away the things in our lives that prevent us from doing that ... things that get in the way ... activities that consume time that could be spent in Your Word, Father. At the same time, cleanse our hearts from any Pharisical tendencies ... thoughts, words, actions, looks ... that are self-righteous, judgemental, condemning, prejudice toward others, no matter who they are; they are Your children and we are not fulfilling the call You've placed on our lives if we are not wrapping our (your) loving arms around every person You have placed in our paths. Use us to do great things for You! Bring on the chisel and do Your work in us, please! For Jesus' sake. Amen
What do you see when you look in the mirror? A masterpiece? Did you buy into the lie that everything was going to be easy when you said 'yes' to Him?
O Father in Heaven, being disciplined is not fun or easy, but we so desperately need it in order to be like You. We want to shine Your light. We want to be salt. Our human nature prevents this from happening the way we want it to .. the way You want it to. Bring on the chisel, God; no time outs, please! You've made us good, help us to just BE good! Give us the desire to seek Your will and Your ways every moment of every day. Chisel away the things in our lives that prevent us from doing that ... things that get in the way ... activities that consume time that could be spent in Your Word, Father. At the same time, cleanse our hearts from any Pharisical tendencies ... thoughts, words, actions, looks ... that are self-righteous, judgemental, condemning, prejudice toward others, no matter who they are; they are Your children and we are not fulfilling the call You've placed on our lives if we are not wrapping our (your) loving arms around every person You have placed in our paths. Use us to do great things for You! Bring on the chisel and do Your work in us, please! For Jesus' sake. Amen
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Looking ahead to Palm Sunday
Lord, the Day of Palms is a day of triumph in Your life. As You set Your face toward death and moved to the hour of Your glory beyond the cross, You came to us as King. Yet You came in lowly pomp that we might know the real purpose of Your coming.
Amid the shouts of "Hosannah to the son of David" we know You as the Suffering Servant of God.
Through the waving palm branches we see You as the King of our peace.
On the way paved with the garments of man's homage we see You as the Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Among the chants and songs of praises of little children we know You as the one who came to make us the children of God.
Come, King of grace, to rule in us. Lord of all mercy, have mercy upon us. Savior of sinners, save us. Creator of the universe, use Your righteous right hand to chisel away in each of us, Your masterpieces, whatever is not of You. Amen.
Amid the shouts of "Hosannah to the son of David" we know You as the Suffering Servant of God.
Through the waving palm branches we see You as the King of our peace.
On the way paved with the garments of man's homage we see You as the Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Among the chants and songs of praises of little children we know You as the one who came to make us the children of God.
Come, King of grace, to rule in us. Lord of all mercy, have mercy upon us. Savior of sinners, save us. Creator of the universe, use Your righteous right hand to chisel away in each of us, Your masterpieces, whatever is not of You. Amen.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Praying Paul's Prayer (Ephesians 3:14-21)
In his letter to the church of Ephesus, while imprisoned, Paul wrote a beautiful prayer. God's love and encouragement for the Ephesians just gushes from Paul's heart through his pen. May our prayer for each other and those on the outside that do not yet know Jesus as their Savior be with the same love and zeal as Paul's! May God hear our prayer and be with us as we seek to help people know, love, and follow Jesus!
By combining two modern versions of God's Word (NIV and Message paraphrase), we join to pray:
Lord God, because of Your unending love for us, evidenced by the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, we kneel before You, Father. You are our magnificent Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name and who parcels out all heaven and earth. We pray that out of Your glorious riches You will strengthen us and those that do not yet know who You are, by Your Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength with power through Your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in all of our hearts through faith as those that open the door and invite You in will experience.
We pray that, as Your followers, with both feet planted firmly on love, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, such extravagent dimensions that are incomprehendable, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of You, O God.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
May we all Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
By combining two modern versions of God's Word (NIV and Message paraphrase), we join to pray:
Lord God, because of Your unending love for us, evidenced by the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, we kneel before You, Father. You are our magnificent Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name and who parcels out all heaven and earth. We pray that out of Your glorious riches You will strengthen us and those that do not yet know who You are, by Your Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength with power through Your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in all of our hearts through faith as those that open the door and invite You in will experience.
We pray that, as Your followers, with both feet planted firmly on love, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, such extravagent dimensions that are incomprehendable, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of You, O God.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
May we all Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
We Pray for Blessings, Lord God
Father God, thank you for the blessings of talents you have given singers and songwriters who use these gifts to glorify You. We come to You now, Lord, with these words for our families, our church, ourselves, as we lean not on our own understanding but seek Your face to guide us, protect us, keep us strong in our faith amidst pain, struggles, adversity. Lord Jesus,
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
But long that we'd have the faith to believe
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
"Blessings" song lyrics by Laura Story
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
But long that we'd have the faith to believe
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
"Blessings" song lyrics by Laura Story
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Anxious?
P E A C E F U L
Pray first! Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Easy now ... rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7
Act on it. Be a worry slapper; treat worries like mosquitoes!
Compile a worry list. Go back and look; how many actually became realities?
Evaluate your worry categories. Pray for them: Themes, Obsessions, etc.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Focus on today! Do not be anxious about tomorrow!
Unleash a 'prayer warrior army'. Share your burdens and ask others to pray with and for you.
Let God be enough. Your heavenly Father knows. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well.
Lord God, thank you, once again, for Your faithfulness!
Thank you for Your Word proclaimed through Pastor Van Dellen!
May we all take to heart these teachings and seek to have a more peaceful life while here. We know this is what You want for us, Father, for You love us so and want the very best for us. Please convict our hearts to seek Your face and Your heart and Your will for our lives ... as Your church.
Thank you, also, for these words from Isaiah 48
...another reminder where True Peace comes from:
17 This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
18 If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea."
Keep us in Your loving care, Father God. In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen
Pray first! Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Easy now ... rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7
Act on it. Be a worry slapper; treat worries like mosquitoes!
Compile a worry list. Go back and look; how many actually became realities?
Evaluate your worry categories. Pray for them: Themes, Obsessions, etc.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Focus on today! Do not be anxious about tomorrow!
Unleash a 'prayer warrior army'. Share your burdens and ask others to pray with and for you.
Let God be enough. Your heavenly Father knows. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well.
Lord God, thank you, once again, for Your faithfulness!
Thank you for Your Word proclaimed through Pastor Van Dellen!
May we all take to heart these teachings and seek to have a more peaceful life while here. We know this is what You want for us, Father, for You love us so and want the very best for us. Please convict our hearts to seek Your face and Your heart and Your will for our lives ... as Your church.
Thank you, also, for these words from Isaiah 48
...another reminder where True Peace comes from:
17 This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
18 If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea."
Keep us in Your loving care, Father God. In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Healing is in Your Hands
Father God, we ALL need healing for one thing or another! Right now we raise up our families, our children, our teens, our spouses to Your healing hands. We ask that You draw every individual to You; that You speak to their hearts. No addiction, no sickness, no weakness, no broken relationship, no grieving heart is too much for You to heal, Lord God, for You are the Great Physician! Help us to call upon You in every time of trouble and with every circumstance. Help us to be faithful in prayer, Jesus; just like you!
Great is Your Faithfulness
Great is Thy Faithfulness,O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not: Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou has been, Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not: Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou has been, Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Praying for our congregational leaders
Heavenly Father, we lift up the leaders of our congregation to you. These men have been called by You, Lord, and are working as members of the Body of Christ. We pray that You keep their eyes focused on the Head, which is You, Jesus; and that You lead the rest of the body in its work in making disciples of You. Their work is so important and such progress has been made already! Please strengthen them, protect them, guide them, give them wisdom, and help us all to support and encourage them. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Psalm 63
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the
richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of
the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
God, oh God, for some who have seen you in your sanctuary, it was just a quick glimpse, and then just as quickly, forgotten, when 'life' crept in and 'took over'. Lord, take us to that mountaintop once again where our desire will be like Peter, James and John, who wanted to pitch a tent and camp out with you for an extending period of time! Holy Spirit, dwell within each of us ... remain in us ... lead us to seek you daily in your Word and Sacraments. Guide us on your path, dear Lord, so we will want nothing more than to cultivate our love for you. Help us to be doers of your Word; not just hearers. Help us to look for every opportunity to spend time with you, oh God, and to value you more than life itself. Help us to think and talk about you often, to look to you for protection and to cling to you for comfort and strength. In the awesome name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the
richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of
the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
God, oh God, for some who have seen you in your sanctuary, it was just a quick glimpse, and then just as quickly, forgotten, when 'life' crept in and 'took over'. Lord, take us to that mountaintop once again where our desire will be like Peter, James and John, who wanted to pitch a tent and camp out with you for an extending period of time! Holy Spirit, dwell within each of us ... remain in us ... lead us to seek you daily in your Word and Sacraments. Guide us on your path, dear Lord, so we will want nothing more than to cultivate our love for you. Help us to be doers of your Word; not just hearers. Help us to look for every opportunity to spend time with you, oh God, and to value you more than life itself. Help us to think and talk about you often, to look to you for protection and to cling to you for comfort and strength. In the awesome name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Monday, February 14, 2011
This Day ... I set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life ...
... so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life ..." Deuteronomy 30:19,20
Heavenly Father, thank You for this wonderful, wonderful pastor that You love so much! You know that we love him, too. We thank You for the thing You are doing in him and for us; for the blessing that You are pouring out on him and your people at Good Shepherd. We pray that we will seek Your face, listen to Your voice, and see that we are all a blessing for life and that You will continue to prosper and to grow us all.
Father God, send Your Holy Spirit to dwell richly within us, teaching us, admonishing us, loving us, helping us to be a blessing for life; for Your Kingdom, for our children, for this nation. Instill in each of us the spirit of diakonoi and synergoi ... as we work together as servant helpers ... building up as we choose life; emptying graves of death and filling up heaven, building Your Kingdom, Lord ... today, tomorrow, during a time of waiting ... and, in Your perfect time, Lord, with a new pastor.
In Your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank You for this wonderful, wonderful pastor that You love so much! You know that we love him, too. We thank You for the thing You are doing in him and for us; for the blessing that You are pouring out on him and your people at Good Shepherd. We pray that we will seek Your face, listen to Your voice, and see that we are all a blessing for life and that You will continue to prosper and to grow us all.
Father God, send Your Holy Spirit to dwell richly within us, teaching us, admonishing us, loving us, helping us to be a blessing for life; for Your Kingdom, for our children, for this nation. Instill in each of us the spirit of diakonoi and synergoi ... as we work together as servant helpers ... building up as we choose life; emptying graves of death and filling up heaven, building Your Kingdom, Lord ... today, tomorrow, during a time of waiting ... and, in Your perfect time, Lord, with a new pastor.
In Your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
You are the Light of the World -Matthew 5:14
Father in Heaven, oh that we will strive to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world as Jesus says we are! Help us to call out to you and boldly beseech your help and guidance in this! Holy Spirit, draw us to you so that we desire our will to be in line with yours; not the other way around! Point us to your Word, Father God, continuously seeking you and what you would have us do ... to be a light to the darkness around us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Morning February 11 (from a Devotional Series by Charles H. Spurgeon)
"And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." --Acts 4:13
A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is his living biography, written out in the words and actions of his people. If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we should be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of him, that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, "Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;" but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, "He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of him; he is like him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and every day actions." A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you: take care you never disgrace that. Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God. Imitate him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that men may say of you, "He has been with Jesus." Imitate Jesus in his holiness. Was he zealous for his Master? So be you; ever go about doing good. Let not time be wasted: it is too precious. Was he self-denying, never looking to his own interest? Be the same. Was he devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had he deference to his Father's will? So submit yourselves to him. Was he patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as he did; and let those sublime words of your Master, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do", always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven. Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus."
Morning February 11 (from a Devotional Series by Charles H. Spurgeon)
"And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." --Acts 4:13
A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is his living biography, written out in the words and actions of his people. If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we should be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of him, that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, "Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;" but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, "He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of him; he is like him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and every day actions." A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you: take care you never disgrace that. Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God. Imitate him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that men may say of you, "He has been with Jesus." Imitate Jesus in his holiness. Was he zealous for his Master? So be you; ever go about doing good. Let not time be wasted: it is too precious. Was he self-denying, never looking to his own interest? Be the same. Was he devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had he deference to his Father's will? So submit yourselves to him. Was he patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as he did; and let those sublime words of your Master, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do", always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven. Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus."
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
O God, My Faithful God #696 Lutheran Service Book
O God, my faithful God, True fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is, All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame, And may I have within
A conscience free from blame, A soul unstained by sin.
Grant me the strength to do with ready heart and willing
Whatever You command, my calling here fulfilling;
That I do what I should while trusting You to bless
The outcome for my good, for You must give success.
Keep me from saying words that later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech may from my lips be falling;
But when within my place I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace lest I offend the weak.
Lord, Let me win my foes with kindly words and actions,
And let me find good friends for counsel and correction.
Help me, as You have taught, to love both great and small
And by Your Spirit's might to live in peace with all.
Let me depart this life confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul that it may live forever;
And let my body have a quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave; and let it sleep in peace.
And on that final day when all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand, my deathly slumber breaking,
Then let me hear Your voice, redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice with those who love Your name.
For Jesus's sake, O God, my faithful Father, hear my prayer. Amen.
Without whom nothing is, All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame, And may I have within
A conscience free from blame, A soul unstained by sin.
Grant me the strength to do with ready heart and willing
Whatever You command, my calling here fulfilling;
That I do what I should while trusting You to bless
The outcome for my good, for You must give success.
Keep me from saying words that later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech may from my lips be falling;
But when within my place I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace lest I offend the weak.
Lord, Let me win my foes with kindly words and actions,
And let me find good friends for counsel and correction.
Help me, as You have taught, to love both great and small
And by Your Spirit's might to live in peace with all.
Let me depart this life confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul that it may live forever;
And let my body have a quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave; and let it sleep in peace.
And on that final day when all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand, my deathly slumber breaking,
Then let me hear Your voice, redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice with those who love Your name.
For Jesus's sake, O God, my faithful Father, hear my prayer. Amen.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
For the Congregation
Remember, O Lord, our congregation,
Your people,
who are nothing without You,
who need the Word of Your forgiveness,
who need comfort and solace,
who need healing and help,
who need courage and strength,
who need counsel and guidance,
who need food and shelter,
who need correction and admonition,
who need acceptance and assurance,
who need zeal and a willing mind,
who need example and direction,
who need charity and goodness,
who need humility and honesty,
who need liberty and peace,
who need wisdom and insight,
who need faith and hope,
who need love and joy,
For we are Your people gathered by Your Spirit around Word and sacraments, that we may be scattered to share Your love through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Your people,
who are nothing without You,
who need the Word of Your forgiveness,
who need comfort and solace,
who need healing and help,
who need courage and strength,
who need counsel and guidance,
who need food and shelter,
who need correction and admonition,
who need acceptance and assurance,
who need zeal and a willing mind,
who need example and direction,
who need charity and goodness,
who need humility and honesty,
who need liberty and peace,
who need wisdom and insight,
who need faith and hope,
who need love and joy,
For we are Your people gathered by Your Spirit around Word and sacraments, that we may be scattered to share Your love through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God
Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long ...
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is an offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
--- Psalm 25:1-2, 4-5; 139:23-24
in you I trust, O my God
Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long ...
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is an offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
--- Psalm 25:1-2, 4-5; 139:23-24
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
For the Church (from the Lutheran Book of Prayer)
O God, because You elected from eternity to save us from destroying ourselves,
We praise You
that You gave promise of salvation to Adam and his seed;
that You saved Noah and his family in the ark of faith;
that You protected and saved ancient Israel as Your people.
We give thanks that You saved mankind by the death and resurrection of our Lord, the Christ;
that You extended Your kingdom to many tribes and nations;
that You have preserved Your Word in the Holy Scriptures.
We pray You,
rule in our hearts by faith;
promote unity among us by love;
seal in us the hope of the Resurrection.
Finish Your work among us through Your Word and sacraments, for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
We praise You
that You gave promise of salvation to Adam and his seed;
that You saved Noah and his family in the ark of faith;
that You protected and saved ancient Israel as Your people.
We give thanks that You saved mankind by the death and resurrection of our Lord, the Christ;
that You extended Your kingdom to many tribes and nations;
that You have preserved Your Word in the Holy Scriptures.
We pray You,
rule in our hearts by faith;
promote unity among us by love;
seal in us the hope of the Resurrection.
Finish Your work among us through Your Word and sacraments, for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Now What, God?
Father God, You are all-knowing, almighty, all powerful and all sufficient! Thank You for Your endless, boundless grace and mercy! Thank You for flooding Your sanctuary with Your holiness yesterday ... Your presence is always there, Lord, and we thank You for that even when we don't "feel" You; we know You are there and want us to draw near to You.
You have great plans for us; and for Gloria Dei in Hudson, Ohio! We praise and thank you for giving us a wonderful shepherd in Pastor Eric Tritten for almost 13 years! Some of us remember the day we met him and his lovely wife Chris, pregnant with Ricky, fresh out of the seminary, ready to serve You here. You gave us a great gift, Lord, and we are so appreciative for the memories, the spiritual growth, the learning and living we've done together. We've worked side by side with Pastor T and have experienced a lot over the years; the time has flown by!
Lord God, there are so many emotions right now. We're sad for us because our friends are moving away. We're hurting because we don't want to see a good thing end. We're confused because maybe we didn't think Pastor T's work was finished here. Father, we might think we know what we want and what we need but if we fail to put our trust in You, we haven't learned a thing about who You are ... You are the only One we can trust ... You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Thank you!
Father God, You called Pastor T to Gloria Dei ... we are happy for Your children there as they are in need of a man of integrity to shepherd them ... though it's difficult to let go, and we are asking for Your help in doing that, Lord, we know we need to say goodbye and ask Your blessing upon Pastor and Chris and the children as they follow Your call. Please provide everything they need and shower them with continued assurance that they are doing exactly what You've made clear for them to do.
Father, as we get over the "shock" and begin to "regroup", please, please help us to focus on seeking Your will and leaving everything else at the foot of Jesus' cross.
We trust You to provide everything we need, Lord God. We ask that You reign in our hearts and minds as we seek Your face and Your will, Lord. Please pour out Your spirit upon Pastor T, Vickie, Haroldeane, Terry, John, Mark, and everyone else involved as they each do what needs to be done to move forward. Please dispell any heaviness and lift all hearts to do and say only that which is of YOU, Father God. Flood every heart that is a part of Good Shepherd with You, Lord. Strip away any feelings of doubt, bitterness, gossip .. all things that get in the way of serving You and helping us to each go out and make disciples of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Help us to lift up and encourage each other with Your words .. help us to speak the Truth boldly and in love. Hold our tongues when words are to come out that are not Yours, oh God ... and pour Your words out of us that are what You want us to say!
Protect us from the evil one who wants to torment us and tear us down and apart from You, Father God! Send your holy angels to guard against all evil! Help us to use our time and talents for You; to bring You glory, Lord Jesus! Thank You for Your endless, boundless grace and mercy! In Your name, we pray. Amen.
You have great plans for us; and for Gloria Dei in Hudson, Ohio! We praise and thank you for giving us a wonderful shepherd in Pastor Eric Tritten for almost 13 years! Some of us remember the day we met him and his lovely wife Chris, pregnant with Ricky, fresh out of the seminary, ready to serve You here. You gave us a great gift, Lord, and we are so appreciative for the memories, the spiritual growth, the learning and living we've done together. We've worked side by side with Pastor T and have experienced a lot over the years; the time has flown by!
Lord God, there are so many emotions right now. We're sad for us because our friends are moving away. We're hurting because we don't want to see a good thing end. We're confused because maybe we didn't think Pastor T's work was finished here. Father, we might think we know what we want and what we need but if we fail to put our trust in You, we haven't learned a thing about who You are ... You are the only One we can trust ... You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Thank you!
Father God, You called Pastor T to Gloria Dei ... we are happy for Your children there as they are in need of a man of integrity to shepherd them ... though it's difficult to let go, and we are asking for Your help in doing that, Lord, we know we need to say goodbye and ask Your blessing upon Pastor and Chris and the children as they follow Your call. Please provide everything they need and shower them with continued assurance that they are doing exactly what You've made clear for them to do.
Father, as we get over the "shock" and begin to "regroup", please, please help us to focus on seeking Your will and leaving everything else at the foot of Jesus' cross.
We trust You to provide everything we need, Lord God. We ask that You reign in our hearts and minds as we seek Your face and Your will, Lord. Please pour out Your spirit upon Pastor T, Vickie, Haroldeane, Terry, John, Mark, and everyone else involved as they each do what needs to be done to move forward. Please dispell any heaviness and lift all hearts to do and say only that which is of YOU, Father God. Flood every heart that is a part of Good Shepherd with You, Lord. Strip away any feelings of doubt, bitterness, gossip .. all things that get in the way of serving You and helping us to each go out and make disciples of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Help us to lift up and encourage each other with Your words .. help us to speak the Truth boldly and in love. Hold our tongues when words are to come out that are not Yours, oh God ... and pour Your words out of us that are what You want us to say!
Protect us from the evil one who wants to torment us and tear us down and apart from You, Father God! Send your holy angels to guard against all evil! Help us to use our time and talents for You; to bring You glory, Lord Jesus! Thank You for Your endless, boundless grace and mercy! In Your name, we pray. Amen.
My Utmost for His Highest - The Voice of the Nature of God
I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ’Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ —Isaiah 6:8
When we talk about the call of God, we often forget the most important thing, namely, the nature of Him who calls. There are many things calling each of us today. Some of these calls will be answered, and others will not even be heard. The call is the expression of the nature of the One who calls, and we can only recognize the call if that same nature is in us. The call of God is the expression of God’s nature, not ours. God providentially weaves the threads of His call through our lives, and only we can distinguish them. It is the threading of God’s voice directly to us over a certain concern, and it is useless to seek another person’s opinion of it. Our dealings over the call of God should be kept exclusively between ourselves and Him.
The call of God is not a reflection of my nature; my personal desires and temperament are of no consideration. As long as I dwell on my own qualities and traits and think about what I am suited for, I will never hear the call of God. But when God brings me into the right relationship with Himself, I will be in the same condition Isaiah was. Isaiah was so attuned to God, because of the great crisis he had just endured, that the call of God penetrated his soul. The majority of us cannot hear anything but ourselves. And we cannot hear anything God says. But to be brought to the place where we can hear the call of God is to be profoundly changed.
January 16 ... My Utmost for His Highest ... Oswald Chambers
http://utmost.org/the-voice-of-the-nature-of-god/
When we talk about the call of God, we often forget the most important thing, namely, the nature of Him who calls. There are many things calling each of us today. Some of these calls will be answered, and others will not even be heard. The call is the expression of the nature of the One who calls, and we can only recognize the call if that same nature is in us. The call of God is the expression of God’s nature, not ours. God providentially weaves the threads of His call through our lives, and only we can distinguish them. It is the threading of God’s voice directly to us over a certain concern, and it is useless to seek another person’s opinion of it. Our dealings over the call of God should be kept exclusively between ourselves and Him.
The call of God is not a reflection of my nature; my personal desires and temperament are of no consideration. As long as I dwell on my own qualities and traits and think about what I am suited for, I will never hear the call of God. But when God brings me into the right relationship with Himself, I will be in the same condition Isaiah was. Isaiah was so attuned to God, because of the great crisis he had just endured, that the call of God penetrated his soul. The majority of us cannot hear anything but ourselves. And we cannot hear anything God says. But to be brought to the place where we can hear the call of God is to be profoundly changed.
January 16 ... My Utmost for His Highest ... Oswald Chambers
http://utmost.org/the-voice-of-the-nature-of-god/
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Praying for Hope in Haiti
Dear brothers and sisters, as Tom Donnelly and Barb Deradoorian are in Haiti this week with LCMS World Relief and Human Care, and Michelle Garland is working at a Samaritan's Purse cholera clinic in Cite Soleil, we join together praying for all the happenings. Last night several of us gathered for prayer in the sanctuary ... January's Prayer Agenda will be included in this week's News & Notes ... please be in prayer ... it is truly a gift from God to communicate with Him ... He offers and desires this relationship between you and Him ... take time, turn off the TV or set aside any worldy thing that can distract you from the most important time spent, get into a comfortable position (or down on your knees, which is not always a comfortable position) and spill your heart out to Him ... He hears your every word and will lift your heart!
Here is an update from Barb:
First impressions: Haiti is beautiful (like the other islands) and Haiti is devastated. It is difficult for my mind to comprehend the extent of it - the people are living in conditions that the world should be ashamed of - and I think that much of this existed prior to the earthquake - but the extent to which it affected this entire country is undeniable. Yet, among all of this, the people are joyful, happy, friendly, warm, beautiful and making a way to live. I'm not sure I could do it.
We (the team - 12 of us from around the US and Haiti) are currently in Jacmel. We took a very interesting bus ride from Port-au-Prince (which is amass with people who are living in tents) through some of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen. All the while honking our horn to warn those on the other side of the hairpin turn we were coming through. People, babies, children, buses, tap-taps (the local mode of transportation which consists of a brightly painted bus with open sides, jammed to the gills with people and goods, including stacked on the top with people on top of that), cars, everything - sharing the same road. And I do mean sharing - lanes are nonexistent here. We arrived in Jacmel yesterday(to more people living in tents, but also a beautiful city in its own regard) and are staying at a very Westernized hotel - I would not say this is a typical mission trip experience in that regard. It is directly on the ocean - but no one is in the ocean here - very different from my experiences in other islands. Of course, the litter in the ocean perhaps has something to do with that. No form of garbage disposal here whatsoever. Even the burning of rubbish doesn't keep up with the debris. We visited a build site yesterday and had an evening sharing with a missionary group here from the University of Illinois - Urbana - students, pastors, professors. It was a wonderful evening. Today has been filled with meetings this morning - I met with a Pastor who is the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti and we are developing a business plan for microfinancing throughout Haiti. We have already applied for a $500,000 grant which has been awarded pending our plan. It looks like I will be returning here in a few months to begin training with the board of directors and others involved in the financing. I have a lot to learn before then. This afternoon we will be traveling to a tent city to distribute shoes and soap and then attending worship service at Pastor Markey's church (a 30x40 slab of cement with 4 "walls"-open air and a metal roof). I understand we can expect standing room only - with about 300 to 400 people worshiping. I can't wait!
I'm not sure what tomorrow or Friday will bring, although we hope to go work at one of the home building sites. I do feel there is some progress being made here, but it is incredibly slow. The one organization you can't miss seeing making an impact is Samaritan's Purse (Franklin Graham - Billy Graham's son, is the CEO). They are meeting the needs of the people with shelter, clean water, food, medical care. They will be holding a revival in Port-au-Prince this weekend - Franklin Graham will be here to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
If you would like to see some pics of the trip, you can visit www.lutheranchurchcharities.org and see what Tim Hetzner has put up. I haven't been to the site yet, but check it out. You can also visit a blog by a young lady on our team, Sofie Martin, at www.gospelinmotion.blogspot.com (hope4haiti).
Heavenly Father, we thank you for everything; for every good gift is from You! Your creation is spectacular and even though devastated, the country of Haiti is full of majestic mountains, sparkling ocean tides, and joyful, hopeful, happy, friendly people who You have made to be natural survivors, enduring the worst conditions most of us will never be able to comprehend!
Thank you, Father God, for providing opportunity for our friends to use the resources and talents You have given them to make this trip. Continue to be with them, providing for them in the areas of health, rest, strength, wisdom, and unity. Be their Guide as they meet and plan and organize projects that You have called them to do. Keep each person focused on You, Lord, so they can do the work You have laid out for them to do and so that everyone around them will know the love of Jesus through them. Lord, with You there with them, controlling the plans You have made, big strides can be made; may everything be done to glorify Your Holy Name, Lord God!
Father God, we raise up to you Franklin Graham and all of Samaritan's Purse; continue to bless the work they are doing in Your name. Give Mr. Graham Your words as he speaks to the people this weekend ... speak through him, Lord, as your children seek hope! Do mighty works in Haiti, Lord God, and as progress is made let it be obvious it is all because of You, Your goodness and mercy!
We pray all this in the unstoppable name of Jesus, amen!
Here is an update from Barb:
First impressions: Haiti is beautiful (like the other islands) and Haiti is devastated. It is difficult for my mind to comprehend the extent of it - the people are living in conditions that the world should be ashamed of - and I think that much of this existed prior to the earthquake - but the extent to which it affected this entire country is undeniable. Yet, among all of this, the people are joyful, happy, friendly, warm, beautiful and making a way to live. I'm not sure I could do it.
We (the team - 12 of us from around the US and Haiti) are currently in Jacmel. We took a very interesting bus ride from Port-au-Prince (which is amass with people who are living in tents) through some of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen. All the while honking our horn to warn those on the other side of the hairpin turn we were coming through. People, babies, children, buses, tap-taps (the local mode of transportation which consists of a brightly painted bus with open sides, jammed to the gills with people and goods, including stacked on the top with people on top of that), cars, everything - sharing the same road. And I do mean sharing - lanes are nonexistent here. We arrived in Jacmel yesterday(to more people living in tents, but also a beautiful city in its own regard) and are staying at a very Westernized hotel - I would not say this is a typical mission trip experience in that regard. It is directly on the ocean - but no one is in the ocean here - very different from my experiences in other islands. Of course, the litter in the ocean perhaps has something to do with that. No form of garbage disposal here whatsoever. Even the burning of rubbish doesn't keep up with the debris. We visited a build site yesterday and had an evening sharing with a missionary group here from the University of Illinois - Urbana - students, pastors, professors. It was a wonderful evening. Today has been filled with meetings this morning - I met with a Pastor who is the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti and we are developing a business plan for microfinancing throughout Haiti. We have already applied for a $500,000 grant which has been awarded pending our plan. It looks like I will be returning here in a few months to begin training with the board of directors and others involved in the financing. I have a lot to learn before then. This afternoon we will be traveling to a tent city to distribute shoes and soap and then attending worship service at Pastor Markey's church (a 30x40 slab of cement with 4 "walls"-open air and a metal roof). I understand we can expect standing room only - with about 300 to 400 people worshiping. I can't wait!
I'm not sure what tomorrow or Friday will bring, although we hope to go work at one of the home building sites. I do feel there is some progress being made here, but it is incredibly slow. The one organization you can't miss seeing making an impact is Samaritan's Purse (Franklin Graham - Billy Graham's son, is the CEO). They are meeting the needs of the people with shelter, clean water, food, medical care. They will be holding a revival in Port-au-Prince this weekend - Franklin Graham will be here to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
If you would like to see some pics of the trip, you can visit www.lutheranchurchcharities.org and see what Tim Hetzner has put up. I haven't been to the site yet, but check it out. You can also visit a blog by a young lady on our team, Sofie Martin, at www.gospelinmotion.blogspot.com (hope4haiti).
Heavenly Father, we thank you for everything; for every good gift is from You! Your creation is spectacular and even though devastated, the country of Haiti is full of majestic mountains, sparkling ocean tides, and joyful, hopeful, happy, friendly people who You have made to be natural survivors, enduring the worst conditions most of us will never be able to comprehend!
Thank you, Father God, for providing opportunity for our friends to use the resources and talents You have given them to make this trip. Continue to be with them, providing for them in the areas of health, rest, strength, wisdom, and unity. Be their Guide as they meet and plan and organize projects that You have called them to do. Keep each person focused on You, Lord, so they can do the work You have laid out for them to do and so that everyone around them will know the love of Jesus through them. Lord, with You there with them, controlling the plans You have made, big strides can be made; may everything be done to glorify Your Holy Name, Lord God!
Father God, we raise up to you Franklin Graham and all of Samaritan's Purse; continue to bless the work they are doing in Your name. Give Mr. Graham Your words as he speaks to the people this weekend ... speak through him, Lord, as your children seek hope! Do mighty works in Haiti, Lord God, and as progress is made let it be obvious it is all because of You, Your goodness and mercy!
We pray all this in the unstoppable name of Jesus, amen!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
First Tuesday Prayer Gathering
Heavenly Father, as we gather tonight to pray please bless us with the presence of Your Holy Spirit, knowing that You are there and hear our prayers. Give us that peace that only You can give, O God, and draw us close to You as we surrender our hearts to Your bidding. There's so much on our minds as we begin this new year, Lord, and we just simple need to give it all to You and trust You with everything. Bring us together as one voice this evening, whether we are with You in Your sanctuary at Good Shepherd, or whether we're individually in other physical locations, speak to our hearts and encourage us all to be in communion with You in the precious gift of prayer. Teach us to pray, Lord Jesus. We bring it all to You, in Your name. Amen.
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